The newsletter points to the pulpit as the primary reason for this growing false belief. Unfortunately, I have to agree. Our modern day preaching does not preach in absolutes. Instead, the pulpit has become a place of entertainment and lies that provide false hope to a dying world. Health, wealth, and prosperity is on the menu each week. Debate about gay marriage, abortion, women in minstry, and so many more has divided the church. However, there is one essential truth I believe should not be up for debate nor discussion, SALVATION. There should not be a disconnect between the pulpit and the pew as to "the only way to eternal life through Jesus Christ". Here's why:
- The Declaration: Jesus says; "He's the only way." - In John 14:6, Jesus declares; I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me". I John 10:9 Jesus says; "I am the door, by me if any man enter in he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture". It is very clear that Jesus, Himself, declares He's the only way! How can we preach/teach anything other than what Jesus is already declaring in Scripture. To say anything other than what He's already saying is making Him out be a liar. And if Jesus is lying about being the only way than we're all in big trouble. As we stand to preach/teach, we should declare the same absolute that Jesus does in Scripture, He is the only Way!
- The Display: Finish Work of Calvary: If there was any other way to eternal life there would have been no need for Christ to die on the cross for our sins.One of may favorite passages of scripture that explains the finished work Christ is Hebrews 10: 5-18 which ways; "Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come-- In the volume of the book it is written of Me-- To do Your will, O God.'" Previously saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law), then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Christ's Death Perfects the Sanctified. And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them," then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin". Thank God for the finished work of Christ.
- The Deliverance: Imputed Righteousness: Romans 4:13-25; For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed--God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be." And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness." Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. Many people believe that their own righteousness is the way to God. That's the problem with the Muslim religion. Living right (not drinking, cussing, fornicating, stealing, etc) is the way to God. Not so! We're delivered towards righteous because of Christ's righteousness. Imputed righteousness is the transfer of righteousness from Christ to believers who place their faith in Him. However, we should pursue right living of holiness daily. Just because we declared righteous before God through Christ, does not give a license to do what we want. We must pursue to maintain a right relationship with God by following His holy standards given to us in Scripture.
- The Delight: The Return of Christ: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words". Not only is Jesus the only way because He declared Himself to be and displayed it on the cross and we're delivered towards righteousness, but He is the only way because we delight in His return. It is the soon return of Christ that provides hope to the believer. Without His expected return, we have nothing to give us hope.
I feel like closing with a "Whoop, the preaching opera" but you can't hear it. So I'll close with, "I know He's alright!!!"
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